Malaysia booted out of AFF Cup

Malaysia's hopes of making it to the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 were dashed after they went down 0-2 to Thailand in the second leg of the semi-finals at the Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok last night.

Malaysia lost 3-1 on aggregate after both teams played to a 1-1 draw at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last Sunday.

Thailand also frustrated Malaysia's hopes of retaining the title which they lifted in Indonesia in 2010.

Buoyed by the home crowd, Thailand were in control for most parts of the game, but Malaysia managed to keep Thai sporadic attacks at bay in the first half.

Harimau Malaya's midfielder Mohamad Fadhli Mohd Shas was sent off in the 44th minute by referee Lee Min Hu from South Korea for quarrelling with Thai midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao.

National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal replaced left-winger S. Kunalan and brought in Mohd Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri in the 52nd minute to beef up the midfield but to no avail when Thailand capitalised on a lapse in Malaysia's defence to open scoring in the 60th minute through Teerasil Dangda.

Thai marauding defender Theerathon Butmathan made it 2-0 five minutes later which resulted from a free kick which failed to be parried off by goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias, much to the delight of the partisan crowd.

Except for the 81st minute when Harimau Malaya came close to reducing the deficit through a header by Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Malaysia crumbled under the might of the ferocious Thais.